000 AXPZ20 KNHC 181519 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1605 UTC Fri Mar 18 2022 Tropical Weather Discussion for the eastern Pacific Ocean from 03.4S to 30N, east of 120W including the Gulf of California, and from the Equator to 30N, between 120W and 140W. The following information is based on satellite imagery, weather observations, radar, and meteorological analysis. Based on 1200 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 150030 NM OF A LINE FROM UTC. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends from 07N84W to 03N106W. The ITCZ continues from 03N106W to 07N102W to 04N140W. Scattered moderate convection can be found from 04N to 06N E of 78W to the coast of Colombia, from 04 to 08N between 82W and 88W, from 09N to 11N between 120W and 126W, and from 06N to 09N between 126W and 140W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO A ridge extends from a 1025 mb high pressure located near 31N134W to near the Revillagigedo Islands. This system is producing moderate to locally fresh NW to N winds along the Baja California offshore waters, with wave heights of 6-8 ft in NW swell. Gentle NW winds are noted in the Gulf of California, with seas of 1-2 ft, except 3-4 ft near the entrance to the Gulf. Light to gentle NW winds are elsewhere along the Mexican offshore waters where wave heights of 4-6 ft continue primarily in NW swell. For the forecast, a weakening cold front moving SE across the offshore waters of northern Baja California will bring increasing winds to 20-25 kt N of Punta Eugenia on Sun, with seas building 8-12 ft in NW swell. These winds will spread southward reaching the waters N of Cabo San Lazaro by Sun evening. At the same time, fresh to strong W to NW winds are expected across parts of the Gulf of California. By Sun night, fresh to strong NW winds will dominate the entire Baja California offshore waters, including Los Cabos area. Fresh to strong N gap winds are expected in the Tehuantepec region Sat through Sun night. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, and WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR Moderate to fresh NE to E gap winds are ongoing across the Papagayo region extending to 89W. Seas across this area are in the range of 3-5 ft. Gentle to moderate northerly winds are in the Gulf of Panama where seas are 3-5ft in SW swell. Light to gentle winds are elsewhere along with wave heights of 3-5 ft due to SW swell. For the forecast, moderate to fresh NE to E winds will persist across the Papagayo region through Sat, then winds will increase to fresh to strong speeds Sat night into Sun with seas building to 8 ft by Sun night. Mainly gentle winds are expected in the Gulf of Panama. Cross equatorial SW swell will continue to affect the offshore waters with seas of 3-5 ft. REMAINDER OF THE AREA High pressure of 1025 mb located near 31N134W dominates the waters N of the ITCZ and W of about 110W. The pressure gradient between this system and lower pressures near the ITCZ supports fresh to strong trade winds from 07N to 20N W of 130W. Wave heights are in the 8-10 ft range across this area in mixed NW swell and NE wind waves. For the forecast, high pressure situated just N of the area will continue to dominate most of the forecast waters N of the ITCZ and W of 110W through Sat. A weakening cold front will clip the northern forecast region late on Sat. This will bring increasing winds of 20-25 kt and building seas of 8-12 ft, mainly across the NE waters, including the offshore waters of Baja California Norte on Sun. $$ GR/SD